A Hot Dog Taste Test to Find the Perfect Summer Frank

The quintessential summer experience often involves a perfectly cooked hot dog, boasting a satisfying snap. The period between Memorial Day and Labor Day is recognized as hot dog season, the time when hot dog consumption peaks.

Applegate, Sabrett, Nathan's, and Ball Park, all beef hot dogs. The Sabrett, Nathan's, and Ball Park packages each contained eight franks, while the Applegate package included six. Each hot dog was prepared using the same cooking method and served on a Martin's long potato roll with Heinz ketchup and French's classic yellow mustard.

The Sabrett skinless beef frankfurters were the least favorite. Despite being a New York brand, the flavor was lacking, with the ketchup and mustard dominating the taste. The texture lacked the desired snap, and the higher price tag didn't justify the experience.

Next, I tried Nathan's skinless beef franks, a New York institution. While the hot dog had a classic appearance and a slightly snappy texture, the salty aftertaste was a drawback.

The Ball Park hot dogs were the thickest and shortest of the bunch, cooking quickly and developing a charred exterior. The smoky flavor was enjoyable, but the texture was slightly rubbery.

Finally, the Applegate hot dogs, though thinner than the others, delivered the best flavor and texture. The frank had a satisfying snap, and the savory, beefy taste of the hot dog was not overpowered by the condiments. Despite the smaller package size, the overall experience made Applegate the winner.